This image provided by NASA and taken by the Hubble Space Telescope shows previously unseen early galaxies. (AP Photo/NASA)

(Newser)
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The editors at Bloomberg aren't exactly making the case that little green men are out there, but they think it's high time we all wrapped our heads around the possibility of alien life. Consider that just this week, a study found that billions of Earth-like planets exist, each with the theoretical ability to harbor life. "Isn’t it possible, as we learn more about the cosmos, that Trekkies, alien abductees and UFO conspiracy theorists were right all along?" the editors ask. "Which is to say, it is more rational to believe in alien life than it is to not believe in it."

That notion was largely dismissed in the scientific community only a generation ago, but it's gaining credibility there, too. This week's study could help in that it gives researchers a better sense of where to look, and of which planets seem the most likely candidates. A long shot? Of course, but the question of whether we're not alone "only grows more compelling, and more perplexing, with each new discovery." Click for the full editorial.

it is foolishness to think there is not alien intelligence "out there". They know we are here and have known it for a long long time. And I can about promise the .gov knows.

Ezekiel 25:17

Nov 9, 2013 4:22 PM CST

Loved to listen to Sagan in my high school years say, "There is possibility of many Earths out there in the boulliouns and boulliouns of planets out there."

1freeusa

Nov 8, 2013 5:50 PM CST

with over 18 billion earth years of existence in the universe, and over 1 billion galaxies, and over 1billion stars in each galaxy. If only a 1/10,000,000,000 chance of life, there would be over 100,000,000 planets that could sustain some sort of life.......despite our own arrogance, we may not be at the top of the food chain. we may be dinner.